Staten Island EDC maxes out, for now

After hitting a record high, the agency called timeout.

When paid membership in the Staten Island Economic Development Corp. hit an all-time high of 225 in June, the agency took an unusual step. It called a timeout.

"It's at a number now where we felt that we had to do an evaluation and decide where to go from here," said SIEDC President and CEO Cesar Claro. "For a small staff, you don't want a large membership that you can't help." Mr. Claro added that SIEDC's success stems in part from excitement over several pending projects on the North Shore: the 625-foot New York Wheel, an outlet mall, and residential developments in Stapleton and at Lighthouse Point.

The SIEDC's fastest-growing group is its Council of Industrial and Green Innovators, which focuses on environmentally friendly and energy-efficient businesses. Gary Grecco, founder of EnergyPro Insulation, is a member.

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"It felt like a good fit as far as making people more aware of what my industry does," said Mr. Grecco, adding that he would like to see more benefits flow from the Green Zone on the west side of the island, which was set up to attract businesses like his.

Mr. Grecco hopes the city will realize how much untapped land is still available in the area and encourage its development. Meanwhile, he is waiting to see how the perks of membership, including networking, play out for his own business.

Mr. Claro is already counting his blessings. "I think we hit this number because people are excited about some of the things that are coming to Staten Island." he said.